BEIRUT: Lebanon’s prime minister is to visit Damascus “soon,” the information minister said on Tuesday — the first such visit since militants seized power in Syria last month.
“There will be a visit to Syria soon, headed by Prime Minister (Najib) Mikati,” Ziad Makary told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
Last week, Syria imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens, two security sources from Lebanon told AFP, following what the Lebanese army said was a border skirmish with armed Syrians.
Lebanese nationals had previously been allowed into Syria without a visa, using just their passport or ID card.
Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi told AFP at the time that Lebanon was working to find a solution with Syria.
The Lebanese army said the border skirmish saw its soldiers clash with armed Syrians after they tried to “close an illegal crossing.” It said five soldiers were wounded.
Lebanon’s eastern border is porous and known for smuggling. It was unclear who the armed Syrians were.
Mikati’s office said at the time that he had a phone call with Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, during which they discussed bilateral relations as well as the border skirmishes.
He also said Sharaa had invited him for an official visit.
Lebanese politicians have been divided over ties with Damascus, especially after Hezbollah fighters fought alongside Bashar Assad’s forces in the Syrian civil war.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem admitted that with Assad’s fall, his group can no longer be supplied militarily through Syria.
Last month, Syria’s new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa told visiting Lebanese Druze leaders that his country would not negatively interfere in Lebanon and would respect its sovereignty.
For three decades, Syria was the dominant power in Lebanon after intervening in its 1975-1990 civil war.
Syria eventually withdrew its troops in 2005 under international pressure after the assassination of Lebanese ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri.